Featured Team

Des Moines, Iowa represents a tale of two cities. While downtown Des Moines is enjoying a renaissance of sorts— with significant investments made over the last two years in economic development, job growth, and quality-of-life improvements—a group of eight diverse neighborhoods on the northern edge of downtown, which are all part of the 50314 ZIP code, have yet to see the same energy pouring into revitalization.

May 2016

Reinvestment Fund and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) today announced $3 million in awards across 50 mid-size cities in 31 states for Invest Health, an initiative aimed at transforming how city leaders work together to help low-income communities thrive, with specific attention to community features that improve health.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

INVEST HEALTH

Invest Health is a new initiative that brings together diverse leaders from mid-sized U.S. cities across the nation to develop new strategies for increasing and leveraging private and public investments to accelerate improvements in neighborhoods facing the biggest barriers to better health. The program is a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Reinvestment Fund.

This initiative was developed to provide an opportunity for mid-sized cities to transform the way local leaders work together to create solution-driven and diverse partnerships. These partnerships will emphasize making changes in low-income neighborhoods to improve resident health and well-being. These changes can focus on increasing access to quality jobs, affordable housing, and nutritious food, and reducing crime rates and environmental hazards.

WHY THE PROGRAM WAS DEVELOPED

PROGRAM GOALS

BRING TOGETHER DISPARATE SECTORS in mid-sized cities to align around a vision for better health, create innovative ideas, and unlock new sources of investment.

Independent Consultant

Chief Operating Officer, Raza Development Fund

Principal, Innovative Housing Strategies, LLC

RECENT

NEWS

August 2017

Thanks to our 50 Invest Health teams for joining us at the third national convening in Phoenix, AZ! From the sector-based discussions to the working sessions and “Master Classes,” teams engaged with experts in the field as well as participants from across the country. Themes covered included using data to drive solutions as well as communications and storytelling.

March 2017

In early 2016, I was invited to join a local group pursuing a grant to improve health outcomes in the City of Peoria. The grant, called Invest Health, was designed to bring together a diverse group of leaders from midsized U.S. cities to develop new strategies for increasing and leveraging private and public investments to accelerate improvements in neighborhoods facing the biggest barriers to better health. The program is a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Reinvestment Fund.

CONTACT

REINVESTMENT FUND is a catalyst for change in low-income communities. They integrate data, policy and strategic investments to improve the quality of life in low-income neighborhoods. Using analytical and financial tools, they bring high-quality grocery stores, affordable housing, schools and health centers to the communities that need better access—creating anchors that attract investment over the long term and help families lead healthier, more productive lives.

For more than 40 years the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has worked to improve health and health care. We are working with others to build a national Culture of Health enabling everyone in America to live longer, healthier lives. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org. Follow the Foundation on Twitter at www.rwjf.org/twitter or on Facebook at www.rwjf.org/facebook.